George Michael for Wembley

George Michael will be the first artist to step on stage at the new Wembley stadium when he performs there on June 9 as part of a British and European tour. The long-awaited inaugural concert comes after years of setbacks and false starts for the stadium stretching back to 2000. The first concert had originally been booked by Bon Jovi but they, along with the Rolling Stones, Robbie Williams and Take That in succession, were all forced to withdraw when building work overran.

George Michael has a long association with Wembley, playing Live Aid in 1985, Wham's farewell concert in 1986, the Nelson Mandela concert in 1988, the Freddie Mercury tribute concert in 1992, and the NetAid anti-poverty concert in 1999.

Alex Horne, managing director of Wembley stadium, said: "It's fantastic news that George Michael is to play Wembley stadium's opening concert. He's no stranger to this great stage having performed at the old stadium both with Wham at Live Aid and also as a solo artist, so this is a fitting first gig in the new stadium."